Out of all of the rivalries among college football teams in the state of Florida, the one between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles stands out as the best. It’s one of those rivalries where you can throw out the records because each team wants to win it so badly. Over the years, the game has attracted a huge audience far beyond the Sunshine State. More importantly, it has produced some truly amazing moments. Let’s take a look back at the greatest games in the Florida State-Miami rivalry.
Florida State 41, Miami 39 (2008)
This was one of the highest-scoring games between the Seminoles and Hurricanes. It looked like Florida State would win easily after leading 31-10 at halftime, but the Hurricanes were never going to go down without a fight.
Miami got as close as 34-32, but on a third and goal from the Miami 20-yard line, the ‘Noles got a touchdown run from Antone Smith. The Hurricanes responded but ran out of time, losing 41-39.
Florida State 10, Miami 7 (2005)
This game still makes Miami fans groan while perhaps making FSU supporters believe in karma. The Hurricanes, trailing 10-7, put together a nice drive to set up a 28-yard field goal to tie the game with a little over two minutes left.
However, holder Brian Monroe didn’t handle the snap and the kick never got off. The ‘Noles ran out the clock to hang on for the win, which has gone down in history as the “Miami Muff.”
Miami 17, Florida State 16 (1991)
Known as Wide Right I, this is the only time Miami and Florida State have met while ranked no. 1 and no. 2 in the country. The game did not disappoint, at least if you’re a fan of good defense. The Miami offense eventually put a drive together in the fourth quarter to score a touchdown and take a 17-16 lead.
Florida State responded by driving to the Miami 17-yard line, setting up the game-winning field goal. However, for the first of many such occasions, an FSU kicker pushed the kick wide to the right, giving the no. 2 Hurricanes a narrow win.
Miami 19, Florida State 16 (1992)
One year later, it was already time for Wide Right II. At the time, the Hurricanes had won 20 in a row and were no. 2 in the country while the Seminoles were no. 3 in the polls. Just like the previous year, Florida State led 16-10, only to see Miami go-ahead with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
A safety would increase Miami’s lead to 19-16. But Charlie Ward led the FSU offense down the field to set up a 39-yard field goal to tie the game. Despite being 3 for 3 on field goals that day, Dan Mowrey pushed it to the right, sending the Seminoles home with another devastating loss to their rivals.
Miami 26, Florida State 25 (1987)
This is the game that put the Miami-Florida State rivalry in overdrive. With both teams in the national title hunt, the no. 4 Seminoles opened up a 19-3 lead over the no. 3 Hurricanes. But Miami would score the next 23 points of the game, capped off by a 73-yard Michael Irvin touchdown.
Of course, the Seminoles struck back quickly, finding the end zone with 42 seconds on the clock. FSU coach Bobby Bowden passed on a tie and tried a two-point conversion that failed, giving Miami a slim victory. The Hurricanes finished the season undefeated and were crowned national champions.